Coping With Non-Death Losses

This course examines the emotional and social impact of non-death losses, exploring cultural and personal responses to grief while building skills in empathy, communication, and resilience.

About This Course

This course explores the often-overlooked realm of non-death losses—such as the loss of identity, relationships, health, or life transitions—and their profound emotional, psychological, and social impacts on individuals and communities. Students will learn to classify various types of non-death losses and examine how personal beliefs, cultural norms, and the nature of the loss influence the grieving process. Through interactive discussions and skill-building exercises, the course emphasizes the development of empathy and effective communication strategies, including active listening and emotional validation, to support those experiencing non-death loss. Additionally, students will explore pathways to resilience, personal growth, and the discovery of meaning in the midst of change and adversity.

Key Learning Objectives: 

  1. Classify what constitutes as non-death losses and understand the emotional, psychological, and
    social impacts of these types of losses on individuals and communities.

  2. Investigate factors such as personal beliefs, cultural norms, and the nature of the loss that shape how individuals respond and grieve them.

  3. Create empathy and supportive communication skills to effectively help others experiencing non-death losses, including techniques for active listening and validation.

  4. Formulate opportunities for personal growth, resilience, and finding meaning in loss.

Course admission requirements:

Minimum of a Master's Degree in a mental health or related field; or be a student in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field is required.

 

Enroll in Just this Course

MEET THE PRESENTER

LARA ANDERSON SAINTE, LCSW, 

Clara Anderson Sainte is a licensed clinical social worker with expertise in grief and loss, chronic illness, cancer, depression, anxiety and trauma. She is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and trained as a Grief Recovery Specialist. 

Clara believes therapy is most effective when individuals can be their authentic selves, a principle that guides her practice. She ensures her clients feel understood and heard, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Her private practice welcomes adults of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, religious or spiritual beliefs and body types of abilities. Clara's clients appreciate her relatable approach of implementing humor and sarcasm in her sessions as they navigate complex and heavy issues. 

In addition to her private practice, Clara serves her community in multiple roles. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and a clinical social work supervisor. She also works as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant and Continuing Education Coach. Her past roles includes serving as the 6th District Commissioner on Kansas City's LGBTQ Commission, Chair of Children's Mercy's Equity & Diversity Council, board member for Big Brother Big Sisters KC DEI Board and volunteer Big, board member of KC Center for Inclusion Board of Directors, Vice Chair of Mental Health America of the Heartland Board of Directors, and healthcare instructor at Johnson County Community College. 

Course Materials

  • Prerecorded Video: (180 minutes)
  • Presentation 
  • Handouts + Worksheet
  • Quiz 
  • Presentation Feedback Survey
  • Certificate of Completion*
*A passed quiz of at least 80% and a completed feedback survey required for certificate.  

Continuing Education (CE) hours 

 3 NBCC CE hours are available for licensed mental health providers. Please check with your licensing board to confirm that NBCC CE hours are accepted.

Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6912. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Become a Member! 

A monthly subscription to ITTC’s Professional Learning Community, KALOS Includes: 

  • Unlimited Access to asynchronous courses and workshops with more being added all the time. 
  • Access to the Learning Community where you can connect with colleagues worldwide.  
  • Discounts on our live events like trainings, webinars, retreats, and our Trauma Summit.

 All courses offer continuing education credits unless otherwise indicated.

Join KALOS